Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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2569. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the review on the FreeStyle Libre for the treatment of type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38127/21]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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2620. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the decision to make the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38407/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2569 and 2620 together.

The HSE have advised that it was anticipated that the review of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System would be finalised at the end of Q1 2020. However the public health emergency that has occurred in the meantime has resulted in members of the Health Technology Assessment Group (HTAG), whose primary roles are in Public Health Medicine, being redirected fully to public health emergency duties.

Given the current situation, the HSE is not in a position to progress the HTAG review and publication of the advice note. The HSE has now commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment to be conducted by the NCPE in collaboration with the Medicines Management Programme. If a positive recommendation arises on completion of the Health Technology Assessment, the PCRS will progress the funding of the device as part of the preparations for the National Service Plan 2022.

Consultant Endocrinologists / Diabetes Nurse Specialists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) sensors. This includes those persons with eligibility under Community Drug Schemes (e.g. medical card holders, those with Long Term Illness eligibility). The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3rd April 2018. In line with the recommendations outlined of the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults (4 -21 years). However, the application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient outside of this group.